Towers is unlikely to follow Donald Fehr from MLB to the NHL, but he has the mentality of a hockey GM. A successful NHL team must have several deep and talented lines, and Towers seems convinced that he must have two major league-quality starting outfields.

The Diamondbacks are just one MLB team blessed with a positional surplus from which to deal. Other baseball hoarders, categorized by the likelihood of them making a trade between now and opening day:

TRADE IS CERTAIN

Arizona Diamondbacks OFs

The Justin Upton saga has been so well-documented that most fans know the teams on his no-trade list (Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays). Although Towers continues to play hardball in trade talks, it seems highly unlikely that Upton will report to camp in a few weeks in a scene that would redefine the word “awkward.”

After the offseason signings of Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers have eight rotation candidates. Even if Chad Billingsley’s elbow doesn’t hold up this spring, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly would compete for just one starting job.

And because Los Angeles isn’t exactly lacking in the bullpen, either, the solution isn’t as simple converting those veterans into long relievers. Lefthanded starters are in high enough demand that Lilly and Capuano will garner interest.

TRADE IS LIKELY

Boston Red Sox Cs

With Mike Napoli finally signed, the Red Sox have four catchers on their roster. However, don’t expect Napoli to start behind the plate much (if ever) given the concerns about his hip. Still, that leaves Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Lavarnway and David Ross as backstops.

With Boston set at DH with David Ortiz, who isn’t likely to play much first base because of the Achilles’ tendon injury that ended his 2012 season prematurely, there just aren’t enough at-bats to go around. If Lavarnway proves capable this spring, Saltalamacchia will be dangled.

Detroit Tigers SPs

The rumors have the Tigers exploring a deal involving righthander Rick Porcello, and there is plenty of interest in a 24-year-old former first-round pick who has won 48 games in his first four seasons.

If Porcello is dealt—Detroit is most interested in upgrading at shortstop but also could use a left fielder—lefthander Drew Smyly would inherit the fifth spot in the rotation.

TRADE IS 50-50

Washington Nationals RPs

With the addition of Rafael Soriano (42 saves for the New York Yankees in 2012), the Nationals have three legitimate closers. The plan is to use Drew Storen (43 saves in 2011) and Tyler Clippard (32 saves in 2012) as setup men, but both have plenty of trade value.

So, why wouldn’t Washington trade a closer? Because it has no glaring need in terms of what it would acquire in exchange for Storen or Clippard, and because both will have even more value as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline approaches.

TRADE IS UNLIKELY

Oakland A’s OFs

The A’s are in a situation very similar to the Diamondbacks’, partially because they acquired center fielder Chris Young from Arizona in October. Oakland’s outfield includes two other center field candidates (Yoenis Cespedes and Coco Crisp), a Gold Glove right fielder (Josh Reddick) and a corner outfielder currently penciled in at DH (Seth Smith).

While it is unwise to predict what general manager Billy Beane might do, he has expressed a desire to keep all of his outfielders. All of the incumbents Young played a pivotal part in the team’s second-offense offensive surge en route to the 2012 AL West title. With a little creativity, it will be possible to get all of them regular playing time in 2013.

TRADE IS VERY UNLIKELY

Cincinnati Reds SPs

The decision to move Aroldis Chapman from the closer role to the rotation gives the team six starters for five spots, and seemingly makes Mike Leake expendable. However, Chapman could fail to impress during Cactus League action or early in the regular season, resulting in a move back to the bullpen.

Regardless, it is all but certain that the Reds’ projected opening-day starting five will not combine to start 161 games as they did last season (the only other Cincinnati pitcher to start a game last season was Todd Redmond). For a team built to make a World Series run—and for a team with no real needs as camp nears—Leake is much more valuable as insurance than as trade bait.

Baltimore Orioles OFs

The prognosis is positive for right fielder Nick Markakis (thumb surgery) and left fielder Nolan Reimold (neck surgery), but the Orioles learned last season that there is no such thing as too much outfield depth.

Nate McLouth and Lew Ford, both of whom played vital roles in Baltimore’s surprising postseason run after being plucked off the scrap heap last season, re-signed this offseason. And neither is going anywhere. Not even with Chris Davis, who finished last season in the outfield but now will replace Mark Reynolds at first base, also in the mix.